Golf club cover with removably attached multi-tool

ABSTRACT

A golf club assembly includes a golf club cover, a multi-tool, and means for removably attaching the multi-tool to the golf club cover. The multi-tool can include a golf tool accessory specially-suited for use by a golfer on a golf course, such as a divot repair tool and a ball marker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/228,473, filed Jul. 24, 2009, andentitled “Golf Club Cover With Golf Tool Accessory,” which isincorporated in its entirety herein by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application relates generally to golf equipment and, moreparticularly to a golf club assembly including a golf club cover with aremovably attachable multi-tool.

BACKGROUND

The sport of golf requires accuracy and precision. Thus, many golfersprotect their golf clubs with golf club covers or socks to protect fromdamage to the head of the golf club while it is not in use. Golf clubcovers can be used with all types of golf clubs including woods, irons,and putters. One example of such a golf club cover, specifically for aputter or iron, is U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,222 to Gaffney.

The sport of golf also includes some specially-designed tools. Forexample, many golfers carry a divot repair tool which is generally usedto repair a divot made by a golf ball on a putting green. Golfers oftenalso carry a golf ball marker which golfers use to mark their ball onthe putting green. These and numerous other tools are used by golferswhile on the golf course.

Multi-tools (also referred to as multi-function pocket knives andmarketed as “Swiss Army” knives) often combine multiple tools into asingle device. For example a multi-tool may combine any number of tools,including a knife, scissors, a toothpick, tweezers, a bottle opener, acan opener, a ruler, a corkscrew, a screwdriver, a flashlight, a saw, aspoon, a fork, and many others. Multi-tools specifically designed forgolfers often include a divot repair tool, a removable ball marker, aknife, a file, and a club groove cleaner, among other tools. One exampleof such a golf multi-tool is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,173 toMüller et al.

Multi-tools, however, often can be bulky and heavy. In a sport such asgolf where accuracy and precision are important, a player may not wantto carry a bulky or heavy tool in a pants pocket or on a belt, forinstance. For a multi-tool to be effective and useful to a golfer it ispreferably easy to access so that the player can quickly use it torepair a divot, mark a ball, or perform any other task on the golfcourse.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, a golf clubassembly is disclosed which includes a golf club cover and a golf toolaccessory, in one embodiment comprising a multi-tool. The golf toolaccessory is removably attached to the golf club cover.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a golf club assembly includes agolf club cover, a multi-tool, and means for removably attaching themulti-tool to the golf club cover. Examples of corresponding structuresuitable for removably attaching the multi-tool to the golf club coverare discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a golf clubassembly including a golf club cover, mounted to a golf club, and amulti-tool in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the golf club cover of FIG. 1 withthe multi-tool detached.

FIG. 3A is a rear elevational view of the multi-tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a rear elevational view of an alternative embodiment of amulti-tool in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the multi-tool of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the golf club assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a golfclub cover and a multi-tool in accordance with the disclosure, whichillustrates a hook-and-loop fastener in an enlarged scale forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a golfclub cover and a multi-tool in accordance with the disclosure, whichillustrates a hook-and-loop fastener in an enlarged scale forillustrative purposes.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a golfclub cover and a multi-tool in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a golfclub cover and a multi-tool in accordance with the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the principles of the present disclosure, a golf clubassembly, including a golf club cover and a multi-tool, is providedwherein the multi-tool is removably attached to the golf club cover. Thegolf club cover can be adapted for use with any selected type of golfclub, including a driver, other woods, irons, or a putter, for example.The multi-tool can include in some embodiments at least one golf tool,including a divot repair tool and a ball marker, for example. Examplesof suitable means for removably attaching the multi-tool to the golfclub are discussed below. In other embodiments, equivalent means forremovably attaching the multi-tool to the golf club can also be used.

Turning now to the Figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a golf clubassembly 100 which includes a golf club cover 102 and a multi-tool 104that is removably attached to the golf club cover 102. Means forremovably attaching the multi-tool 104 to the golf club cover 102 areprovided. The golf club cover 102 is mounted to a golf club 106 so thatthe head of the golf club 106 is disposed within the golf club cover102. The multi-tool can include at least one golf tool accessoryspecially-suited for use by a golfer on a golf course, such as a divotrepair tool, a ball marker, a club groove cleaner, etc.

The golf club cover 102 can be any suitable shape and can be adapted tocover any type of golf club 106. The illustrative golf club cover 102 inFIG. 1 is adapted to cover a putter. The golf club cover can have anynumber of different shapes in other embodiments and can be used to coverwoods, irons, or any other type of golf equipment. For example, the golfclub cover 102 can have a shape similar to any of the golf club coverdesigns disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,222 to Gaffney.

Referring to FIG. 2, the golf club cover 102 can include an opening 107at one end, such that it can easily be taken off of and put back on thegolf club 106. Numerous other golf club cover designs are possible. Forexample, the golf club cover can include an opening in a rear end 108 ofthe cover 102 of the golf club which can facilitate the removal of thegolf club cover from the golf club.

The means for removably attaching the multi-tool 104 to the golf clubcover 102 can include a slit 109 provided in the golf club cover 102.The slit 109 can be adapted to receive therethrough a clip mounted tothe multi-tool, which also comprises a part of the means for removablyattaching the multi-tool to the golf club cover 102.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the multi-tool 104 includes a body 111 which canstore a plurality of different tools which are moveable over a range oftravel between a stored position, wherein the tool is folded into thebody 111 of the multi-tool, and an operating position, wherein the toolis disposed in a position suitable for a user to use the tool. The toolsof the multi-tool 104 conveniently can be housed in a stored positionwithin the multi-tool body 111 to conserve space and reduce the overallsize of the multi-tool. The multi-tool 104 can include a scissors 114, aknife 116, a bottle opener 118, tweezers 119, a toothpick 120, and adivot repair tool 121. The multi-tool 104 also includes a removable ballmarker 122 (see FIG. 1).

Many of the tools of the multi-tool 104 are pivotally mounted to thebody 111 such that each tool can independently rotate about a pivotpoint disposed within the body 111, allowing the tool to rotate betweena stored position and an extended, operating position. In the closedposition, the tool is substantially within the multi-tool body 109 (seeFIG. 1), and in the extended position the tool is substantially outsideof the multi-tool body 109. Examples of tools pivotally mounted to thebody 111 include the scissors 114, the knife 116, the bottle opener 118,and the divot repair tool 121.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the divot repair tool 121 includes a firstarm 124 and a second arm 125. The arms 124, 125 can fold out of opposingsides of the multi-tool body 109. Once in the extended position, thearms 124, 125 are in substantially abutting relationship with each otherto form the divot repair tool 121.

Other tools, such as the tweezers 119, the toothpick 120, and the ballmarker 122, can be fully removed from the multi-tool body 109 by slidingor pulling them from the multi-tool body 111. Tools that can be fullyremoved from the body 109 to be used, such as the tweezers 116, thetoothpick 118, and the ball marker 122, can be removably mounted to thebody 109 by any suitable means, such as, a recess in the body or adetent, for example.

The multi-tool 104 can be removably attached to the golf club cover 102by any suitable means. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the multi-tool 104is connected to the golf club cover 102 using a resiliently flexibleclip 126 on the multi-tool 104 and the corresponding slit 109 on thegolf club cover 104. The clip 126 has a fixed end 130 and a distal freeend 132. The fixed end 130 is attached to the back of the multi-tool byany suitable means.

Referring to FIG. 5, the clip 126 extends through the slit 109, therebyremovably attaching the multi-tool 104 to the golf club cover 102. Theclip 126 is resiliently flexible such that the free end 132 of the clipcan be moved away from the body 111 of the multi-tool (see FIG. 4) toallow the free end 132 of the clip to be passed through the slit 109 inthe golf club cover 104. When the free end 132 is released, theresiliently flexible clip returns toward its normal position such thatthe golf club cover 102 is retentively engaged between the body 111 ofthe multi-tool 104 and the clip 126. To remove the multi-tool 104 fromthe golf club cover 102, the multi-tool 104 can be moved, relative tothe golf club cover 102 as shown in FIG. 5, up and away from the golfclub cover 102 to remove the clip 126 from the slit 109.

Referring to FIG. 3B, another embodiment of a multi-tool 204 is shownwhich includes a divot repair tool 221 that is a unitary piece. Thedivot repair tool 221 of FIG. 3B includes a bifurcated distal free end222 that defines a pair of arms 224, 225. In still other embodiments,the multi-tool can include a different arrangement for a divot repairtool. For example, in other embodiments, the divot repair tool can slideout of the multi-tool body as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.6,413,173 to Müller et al.

In yet other embodiments, the multi-tool can include any number ofadditional possible tools, such as, for example, a can opener, a ruler,a corkscrew, a screwdriver, a flashlight, a saw, a spoon, a fork, a golftee punch, a golf club groove cleaner, a nail file, and many others. Forexample, in some embodiments, the multi-tool can be similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,173 to Müller et al.

In still other embodiments, different structure can be provided to actas means for removably attaching the multi-tool to the golf club cover.For example, in one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a multi-tool304 can be removably attached to a golf club cover 302 using a hook andloop type fastener 334, such as a suitable hook and loop fastenercommercially marketed under the trade name Velcro® by Velcro USA Inc. inthe United States.

The multi-tool 304 and the golf club cover 302 can each include a matingstrip 335, 336 which when pressed together form a hook-and-loopconnection. In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-tool 304 includes astrip 335 of loops, and the golf club cover 302 includes a strip 336 ofhooks (shown in enlarged fashion in FIG. 6 for illustrative purposes).In other embodiments, the strip arrangement can be varied.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, means for removablyattaching the multi-tool 404 to a golf club cover 402 include a pocket436 in the golf club cover 402. The pocket 436 can be sized toaccommodate the multi-tool 404 within the pocket 436. The multi-tool 404can be passed through an opening 437 of the pocket so that it is housedwithin the pocket.

The golf club cover 402 can also include a flap 438 which can be used tocover the opening 437 of the pocket 436 and help retain the multi-tool404 within the pocket 436. The flap 437 can be held in a closed positionby a hook and loop fastener 440 (shown in enlarged fashion in FIG. 6 forillustrative purposes). In other embodiments, other suitable means suchas, for example, magnets, a button and a button hole, or a clip andsocket, for example, can be used to selectively secure the flap over theopening 437 of the pocket 436. In yet other embodiments, the opening ofthe pocket can be selectively occluded using a zipper.

Referring to FIG. 8, in still another embodiment, means for removablyattaching a multi-tool 504 to a golf club cover 502 include a clip 542that is rotatably mounted to the multi-tool 504 and a mounting ring 544that is mounted to the golf club cover 502. The clip 542 can include ahook 545 and a resiliently flexible gate 546. The gate 546 is adapted toallow the ring 544 to pass therethrough and to return to its normalposition against the hook, thereby encircling the ring to removablymount the multi-tool 504 to the golf club cover 502. In otherembodiment, the clip can be mounted to the golf club cover, and themounting ring can be attached to the multi-tool.

Referring to FIG. 9, in yet another embodiment, means for removablyattaching a multi-tool 604 to a golf club cover 602 include a pair ofsnap buttons 646, 648. In other embodiments, a single snap button or adifferent number of snap buttons can be used.

In still other embodiments, means for removably attaching a multi-toolto a golf club cover include at least one magnet. In one arrangement,the multi-tool can be removably attached to the golf club cover using atleast a pair of magnets with different polarities such that they magnetsare magnetically attractive to each other wherein one magnet of a firstpolarity is mounted to the mutli-tool and a second magnet of a secondpolarity is mounted to the golf club cover.

In yet another arrangement, the body of the multi-tool can beconstructed from a metal that is magnetically attractable. A magnet,adapted to attract the material from which the body of the multi-tool isconstructed, can be mounted to the golf club cover. Numerous otherequivalent means for removably attaching the multi-tool to the golf clubcover can also be used in other embodiments.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described hereincan be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated hereinor otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A golf club assembly comprising: a golf club cover; and a multi-tool,the multi-tool being removably attached to the golf club cover.
 2. Thegolf club assembly of claim 1, wherein the golf club cover includes anopening and wherein the multi-tool includes a clip, the opening adaptedto receive the clip therethrough such that the multi-tool is removablyattached to the golf club cover.
 3. The golf club assembly of claim 1,the multi-tool is removably attached to the golf club cover via ahook-and-loop fastener.
 4. The golf club assembly of claim 1, whereinthe golf club cover includes a pocket with an opening that is sized tohold the multi-tool thereby removably attaching the multi-tool to thegolf club cover.
 5. The golf club assembly of claim 4, wherein the golfclub cover includes a flap adapted to selectively occlude the opening ofthe pocket.
 6. The golf club assembly of claim 1, wherein the golf clubcover includes one of a ring and a clip, and the multi-tool includes theother of the ring and the clip, the clip being adapted to removablyattach to the ring.
 7. The golf club assembly of claim 6, wherein thegolf club cover includes the ring, and the multi-tool includes the clip.8. The golf club assembly of claim 1, wherein the golf club coverincludes a portion of a snap button and the multi-tool includes acomplementary portion of the snap button, the snap button adapted toremovably attach the multi-tool to the golf club cover.
 9. The golf clubassembly of claim 1, wherein the multi-tool includes at least one golftool.
 10. The golf club assembly of claim 9, wherein the multi-toolincludes a removable ball marker.
 11. The golf club assembly of claim 9,wherein the multi-tool includes a divot repair tool pivotally movablebetween a closed position and an operating position.
 12. A golf clubassembly comprising: a golf club cover; a multi-tool; and means forremovably attaching the multi-tool to the golf club cover.